Tessier number 2 cleft, a variation. Case report.

The number 2 craniofacial cleft as described by Tessier is an extremely rare cleft of unknown aetiology with distinct soft tissue and bony characteristics. The location of the deformity on the nostril rim is a distinguishing feature of the cleft. It traverses the alveolar arch at the level of the lateral incisor, middle third of the alar rim, the junction between the nasal bone and the frontal process of the maxilla and continues cranially as a number 12 cleft. One such patient with bilateral interruption of the middle third of the alar rim and mild asymmetrical hypertelorism is described.